San Antonio Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Injured by a Bike Accident Caused by a Negligent Driver in San Antonio, TX?

Bicycling is popular in San Antonio, for exercise and as a mode of transportation. Legally, bicyclists have the same rights as those driving motorized vehicles. Despite this, drivers may fail to keep an eye out for cyclists, which frequently results in collisions. When motorists are negligent while sharing the road, cyclists are the ones most likely to suffer serious physical, financial, and mental consequences. As a result, when bicycle accidents occur, it’s often in an injured party’s best interest to hire a personal injury attorney with extensive experience handling traffic accident cases.

At Hilliard Law, we represent accident victims in San Antonio using skills gained from decades of practicing Texas law. Our San Antonio bicycle accident attorneys will tenaciously pursue your compensation to hold the liable party accountable and get you on the road to recovery.

To request a free case review with our team, contact us today at (866) 927-3420.

Am I Eligible to File a San Antonio Bicycle Accident Claim?

To be eligible to file a bicycle accident claim, your case must satisfy certain standards. If someone else’s negligence was to blame for your accident, you are entitled to compensation through a personal injury claim. The following elements of negligence must be proven to be present in your case for a bicycle accident claim to succeed:

• Duty of care: Every driver owes other drivers a duty of care, requiring them to share the road responsibly.
• Breach of duty: The driver you’re suing has breached their duty of care.
• Causation: The driver’s negligence was the primary factor in your collision.
• Damages: You suffered injuries and losses from the accident.

Texas is an at-fault state, so the party who caused the accident is responsible for paying for the damages. While this may seem uncomplicated, it is generally prudent to speak with a bicycle accident lawyer in San Antonio about your case to thoroughly understand your rights and the laws that may apply to your claim. At Hilliard Law, our professionals can guide you through the legal process to work for a favorable outcome for your claim.

Texas Bicycle Laws

In Texas, bicycles are legally considered vehicles, meaning cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists on public roads. This includes obeying all traffic signs, signals, and lane markings. Cyclists must ride in the same direction as traffic and are encouraged to use designated bike lanes when available. However, if a bike lane is not present, riders can use the rightmost lane or ride as close to the curb as is safely possible. Exceptions are made when avoiding obstacles, passing another vehicle, or preparing for a left turn.

Texas law requires bicycles to have proper safety equipment, especially when riding at night. Bicycles must be equipped with a white front light visible from at least 500 feet and a red reflector or rear light visible from 300 feet. Although Texas does not have a statewide helmet law, some cities, such as Austin and Houston, require helmets for cyclists under a certain age. Riders should check local ordinances to ensure compliance with city-specific regulations.

Cyclists are allowed to ride two abreast (side by side) on the road as long as they do not impede traffic. However, they must move into a single file if their formation obstructs the normal flow of traffic. Additionally, Texas law prohibits riding on sidewalks in many urban areas, though this rule varies by city. When using sidewalks, cyclists must yield to pedestrians and provide an audible signal before passing.

Motorists in Texas are required to maintain a safe passing distance when overtaking a cyclist. While the state does not have a specific “three-foot passing law,” drivers must exercise due care and avoid endangering cyclists. Some Texas cities, such as Austin and San Antonio, have adopted their own safe passing laws that mandate a minimum distance between vehicles and bicycles.

Finally, state law enforces strict penalties for drivers who cause harm to cyclists due to reckless driving. Cyclists who are injured in accidents caused by negligent drivers may have legal recourse under state personal injury laws. However, riders must also follow all traffic laws, as failing to do so can impact liability in an accident.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents

Bicycle accidents caused by negligent drivers often result from a combination of poor driving habits, lack of awareness, and failure to follow traffic laws. Some of the most common causes include:

• Distracted Driving: Drivers using their phones, adjusting the radio, eating, or engaging in other distractions may fail to notice cyclists on the road.
• Failure to Yield Right of Way: Many bicycle accidents happen at intersections when drivers fail to yield to cyclists who have the right of way, especially when making turns.
• Dooring: When a driver or passenger opens a car door without checking for an approaching cyclist, the cyclist may crash into the door or swerve into traffic.
• Speeding: Excessive speed reduces a driver’s reaction time and increases the severity of accidents involving cyclists.
• Driving Under the Influence: Impaired drivers have reduced reaction times and impaired judgment, making them more likely to collide with cyclists.
• Unsafe Lane Changes and Passing: Drivers who fail to check their blind spots or give cyclists enough space when passing can cause serious accidents.
• Running Red Lights and Stop Signs: Disregarding traffic signals can lead to collisions with cyclists who are legally crossing intersections.
• Aggressive Driving or Road Rage: Some drivers may be impatient with cyclists, leading them to engage in dangerous maneuvers like tailgating, honking aggressively, or cutting them off.
• Poor Weather Conditions: Negligent drivers who fail to adjust their driving for rain, fog, or low visibility may not see cyclists in time to avoid a collision.
• Failure to Check for Cyclists When Turning: Right and left turns pose a significant risk when drivers don’t look for cyclists, particularly when turning across bike lanes.

Recovering Damages Following a Bicycle Accident in San Antonio

Because bicyclists are so vulnerable, you may have sustained severe injuries in your accident that have impacted every aspect of your life. Whether your losses are economic or non-economic, you may be able to recover damages from your claim for any losses you’ve incurred due to your accident and accident injuries.

Economic Losses

Economic losses have an exact cost that is likely visible on supporting documentation like a receipt or invoice. Accident victims typically receive damages to compensate for losses including:

• Doctors’ appointments
• Prescription medication
• Lost wages from missing work
• Alternate transportation
• Vehicle repairs

Compensation for medical expenses is among the most common economic losses awarded to bicycle accident victims.

Non-Economic Losses

Non-economic losses are more challenging to estimate since they do not have a specific monetary value, but they can still be quantified. Accident victims can pursue psychological and emotional losses caused by the accident, such as the following:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms
• Permanent scarring and disability
• Loss of quality of life

It can be difficult to consider the full scope of the damages you may be experiencing as the result of a bicycle accident. You’ll likely need to present strong evidence and arguments to justify the amount of compensation you’re attempting to recover.

Recovering damages doesn’t have to be a battle you fight alone. If you have legal representation from a knowledgeable San Antonio bicycle accident attorney, such as those at Hilliard Law, you can be confident that your prospects of receiving fair compensation are strengthened.

Should I Hire a San Antonio Bicycle Accident Attorney for My Claim?

Hiring a bike accident lawyer to handle your bicycle accident case may save you significant time and energy, allowing you to focus on healing and getting back on your feet. Taking legal action against someone often entails more work and legal knowledge than one may anticipate. 

Attorneys may offer the following services to aid you with your claim:

• Conducting a comprehensive investigation into your accident
• Helping you gather compelling evidence that supports your claim
• Negotiating with the insurance company on your behalf
• Strengthening your claim with their legal knowledge and valuable resources
• Making sure that your claim is submitted properly
• Establishing who is responsible for your accident

Texas law stipulates that you have two years from the date of an accident to file a personal injury claim. While bicycle accident cases may seem straightforward, the legal process can be confusing, and it can take a long time to submit a well-prepared claim. You may improve your chances of receiving fair compensation by retaining a San Antonio bike accident lawyer.

The legal team at Hilliard Law strives to provide our clients with effective legal advice and aggressive representation to help their claims succeed.

To schedule your initial consultation, contact our office at (866) 927-3420 or submit our contact form.